Syria: Indirect Parliamentary Elections in September

Syrian authorities announced that a new, transitional parliament will be selected in September. Local electoral services will choose two-thirds of the members, while the remaining deputies will be appointed by the transitional president.

Following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad last December, transitional president Ahmad al-Sara dissolved the previous parliament and ratified a constitutional declaration establishing a five-year transitional period.

In June, by presidential decree, a ten-member committee was established to oversee the formation of local electoral bodies, which will select the new deputies.

The Sana news agency reported that the committee's president, Mohammad Taha al-Ahmad, met with al-Sara. He announced that the new National Assembly will consist of 210 members, of whom 140 will be elected by local committees and 70 by al-Sara himself.

Elections will be held between September 15-20, with at least 20% of the new parliament being women.

The National Assembly's term will be renewed every two and a half years, exercising legislative functions until the new Constitution is adopted and elections are held.

Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ